Our Founder

David Clower, the Founder & Managing Member of Desert Cove Ventures, is a dual citizen of the United States and México whose background spans Northwest Indiana, Silicon Valley, Provence (France), Central Texas, and New York City. He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife, Paola Tatiana, who is of Italian and Peruvian descent, and their children. The Clower family divide their time between the United States and Sicily, maintain a residence in Isnello, and are deeply committed to the village, its historic center, and the Parco delle Madonie. David's diverse experiences have shaped his global outlook and led him to a profound appreciation for communities where craft, culture, and daily life are closely intertwined.

David has devoted his career to community development finance, aligning capital with place and championing initiatives that preserve historic integrity while strengthening local economies. He currently serves as President & CEO of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), an impact investment asset management firm and subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC; and he oversees National Trust Tours, connecting travelers to heritage sites worldwide. He also serves as Chairman of the Phoenix Conservatory of Music's Board of Directors.

David's philosophy on social impact centers on sustaining relationships, traditions, and economic vitality—making communities sustainable through long-term investment.

Beyond his leadership roles, David is a writer and cook whose experience working in upscale Italian restaurants as a young man instilled in him an enduring appreciation for quality, dedication, and respect for every contributor. This ethos shapes Desert Cove Ventures's intentional, organic approach to socially responsible investing.

“Investing doesn't need to be mechanical, cold, or impersonal—it can be driven by purpose, grounded in values, and fueled by passion. Investing with long-term purpose continually sharpens judgment when lessons learned are applied for better future outcomes. And investing for the common good helps build trusted, mutually beneficial partnerships that make doing more good more efficient—because the trust we earn and the clarity we gain do not depreciate, they compound.”

David Clower